Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/14/2023

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Barten; Commissioners Sis, Arts, Bennett, Leistico, Loss, and Olson. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5.03: Recommend 2024 Park Development Fees Parks &Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood stated that annually the Commission reviews the Park Dedication and Trail Fees to make a recommendation to the City Council. He provided background information on the in-depth discussion related to parks and trail fees in 2020, which were then adopted as recommended in 2022 for implementation in 2023. He stated that staff does not recommend any changes in 2024 for Park Dedication or Trail Fees. Chair Barten asked if Ramsey falls in the middle in comparison to other communities. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood replied that it would depend on which cities are used as comparison, noting that every city is different in how it builds its park system. He noted that some cities use municipal liquor stores as a funding source for their parks and therefore may have lower park dedication rates. He commented that park dedication also needs to be indexed upon the need, not on what others are doing. He stated that there is over $30,000,000 identified in improvements within the parks CIP planning document and therefore in theory, the Park Dedication should pay for those new improvements that are planned. Commissioner Sis asked if staff believes that the current park and trail fees are sufficient to support those plans. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood noted that the Commission was very thoughtful when suggesting the last increase to park dedication and trail fees. He believed that the rates should be reviewed again in 2024 and then make a recommendation for adjustment. He stated that in this development,the developer has stated that they are selling homes faster than they can build them, therefore it could be assumed that the park dedication and trail fees are not an impediment to development. He commented that given the number of residents enjoying the park tonight, it is easy to see that the residents enjoy the park amenities. Commissioner Leistico commented that she would agree that it would be appropriate to delay another increase as there was just an increase implemented in 2023. Councilmember Musgrove agreed that it would make sense for the Commission to do another review in 2024 related to the fees. She asked if they could also review whether all the improvements would be realistic in terms of what could be done. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood provided details on the rates of park development for different types of development based on the impact the development would have on the parks system. He noted that developers will always say that fees are too high but continue to sell homes faster than they can build them and also want parks and trails, using those features to advertise their development to new residents. Park and Recreation Commission/September 14, 2023 Page 4 of 5